New Shugo Tokumaru - "Green Rain"
You'll often come across references to Cornelius when people talk up Shugo Tokumaru. At first blush it may seem lazy -- both artists come to us from Japan, see -- but it isn't for lack of imagination. Actually it's on account of imagination, on both artists' part, for the way they deal with and digest Western pop idioms. Tokumaru's third album Exit is getting Stateside release this fall (it's out in Japan), which is good news for people who like good music. The 28 year old plays every note, sings in Japanese, and has a breezy easiness in being totally inventive. "Green Rain" is our track for your sampling, just another instance of Shug's taking familiar touchstones (the Beatles are all over this one) into more eclectic and fantastical spaces. (Toy marching band? Willy Wonka candy coated dream factory? You tell me.)
Shugo Tokumaru - "Green Rain" (MP3)
Exit is out in Japan via p-vine, and in the States on 9/2 via Almost Gold. While you're waiting, check out Night Piece and L.S.T..
Posted at 2:31 PM by amrit in MP3
Tags: Shugo Tokumaru
I've always thought that when Japanese artists utilize western pop styles they invent something far greater and more inventive than anything any western pop artist could matriculate. Bands like the Southern All Stars, Chage and Aska or Dreams Come True put out some really interesting stuff that is simply not digestible in the United States but still stand as wildly artistic entities. I think people will start to realize this thanks to Shugo.
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Not New.
Came out last October.
Really superb...see him when he comes to the states.
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He really is fantastic. I'm sad he's only playing NY and Chicago. I've been waiting for him to come to the US for awhile now.
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Yes. This is million times better than new Deerhunter and The Hold Steady.
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Awesome! Sooooo ffing good. Really can't wait for this.
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